Dog missing for over a year reunited with owners

Diesel, a three-year-old Staffie-cross, was found by a member of the public on the outskirts of Stamford - more than 80 miles from the Birchfield area of Birmingham where his owners live.

Julie Ebanks said they had never given up hope of getting Diesel back and it was the best early Christmas present they could have wished for.

He was collected by her son, Juebe, on Friday (November 27).

“We jumped with joy when we received the call from the council to say Diesel had been found,” said Julie. “We phoned everyone to let them know he was coming home.”

Diesel had been missing since September last year. Julie said he had been in an enclosed garden when she went on the school-run but was nowhere to be found when she returned. The family searched the area without success and the next day reported him missing.

Diesel had been micro-chipped and that made the reunion possible. The woman who found him contacted South Kesteven District Council who arranged for him to be collected by a dog warden. He was checked for a micro-chip, which provided details of his owners.

“It is because he is micro-chipped that we never have up hope,” said Julie. “This just shows the value of having it done. If you really love your dog you want every chance of getting them back if they go missing.”

Since April 2016, dog owners in England, Scotland and Wales who do not have their dog micro-chipped and registered with an approved database can face a fine of up to £500.

SKDC Cabinet Member Coun Dr Peter Moseley, a dog owner himself, said: “We do our very best to reunite lost dogs with their owners and it is wonderful to do so with a family pet that was missing for such a long time.”

It is not known if Diesel escaped or if he was stolen to be used as a stud dog.